If you are planning to head north for the summer or if you expect to leave your Herons Glen home for an extended vacation trip, there are some general guidelines you should follow to be sure your house is adequately prepared.
Most importantly, your house needs to be prepped for a possible hurricane while you’re away.
Here are some of the key suggestions to consider:
• Make sure your yard and porches are clear of loose objects that can be blown around by high winds, including gas grills, lawn furniture, potted plants, etc. Put these items in your garage before you leave.
• Secure your storm shutters before you leave; or make arrangements with a caretaker to close your shutters if a major storm or hurricane is forecast while you are away.
• Let the HOA and HGRD know of your seasonal address and contact information. The easiest way to do this is to fill out the online form: https://heronsglenhoa.wufoo.com/forms/q7x3s5. Also, be sure to let them know when you return to Herons Glen.
• Be sure to take some identification which proves you are a Herons Glen resident in case you need to present it to law enforcement personnel before you are allowed to reenter, such as after a hurricane. This could be your driver’s license with your Herons Glen address, a property tax bill, or a utility bill with your name and the Herons Glen address.
• Notify the post office to hold your mail or have your mail forwarded to your seasonal address, or ask a neighbor to collect your mail while you are away.
• Have copies of important documents to take with you, such as wills, insurance policies, etc.
• Be sure to leave your house clean.
• If you have a humidistat, follow the instructions you have been given. If not, leave your A/C set at 80 to 85 degrees, and replace the batteries in the thermostat. (It’s also a good idea to have your annual A/C maintenance done before you leave and change your A/C filters.)
• Dispose of perishable food.
• Pour a little salad oil into your garbage disposal unit and let it remain there while you are away; this will keep it from “freezing up.”
• Add several cups of water to your dishwasher after its last use; this will keep the seal pliable.
• Make arrangements for pool care, landscaping, and pest control.
• Some folks leave roach tablets under the sinks, on pantry shelves, etc.
• Unplug your TC, VCR, microwave, dryer, and other appliances.
• After the last use, clean your toilets thoroughly, flush, refill the tank and then turn off the water to the tank. Then add one cup of bleach to the water in the bowl and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
• Turn off your washing machine water sources, and turn off the water main to the house.
• Consider hiring a home service or asking a friend to periodically check your residence while away.
It’s always better to be prepared than return to problems which could have been avoided. Happy summer!
